Hučák hydroelectric power plant, Art Nouveau hydroelectric power plant on River Elbe in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
Hučák hydroelectric power plant is an electricity generation facility on the Elbe River in Hradec Králové equipped with three Francis turbines fed by an adjacent weir with two sluice gates. The installation operates with a water height drop of approximately 4.2 meters and generates power continuously for the city.
Construction of the power plant began in 1908 as part of a flood control system and achieved its first electrical connection in February 1910 to supply arc lamps in the town center. This early electrification marked a major step forward in the city's technical infrastructure.
The building displays Art Nouveau details in its administrative areas alongside modernist production halls that reflect early 20th-century industrial design. Walking through the facility, visitors encounter a blend of decorative and functional styles that shaped industrial architecture of that period.
The facility remains operational during visiting hours and houses an information center with interactive exhibits about renewable energy sources. Visitors should follow safety guidelines and check ahead as this is an active production site.
The facility includes a steam-powered backup turbine designed for periods when water flow varies dramatically, ranging from minimal levels to 360 cubic meters per second. This innovative solution ensured continuous electricity generation even during drought periods.
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